Healthy is normal. Right?

Beginning of Story Content

Kelly VanderBeek is trying to keep her racing spirit alive and well as she continues to recover from surgery. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

My sister Laura is a general surgeon, and spends her days in hospitals trying to heal the sick and wounded.

One day we were talking, and she mentioned that she has to remind herself that sick isn't normal. Healthy is normal. Being surrounded by the sick day in and day out, I can see where this perception would take root.

I now find myself in that same position.  

Calgary is where our team's centre for recovery is located. Headed up by Dr. Chris Irving and physiotherapist Kent Kobelka, there is a constant flurry of calls, e-mails, and people filing through with injury after injury. Some major, some minor, but all injured. I'm beginning to feel as though this is the norm, that injury is inevitable in sport.  

However, that isn't the case, and I have to remind myself regularly in order to keep my racing spirit alive and well. Other than a few injuries requiring minimal recovery time, I have been extremely healthy since I started ski racing 20 years ago.  

There are thousands of athletes racing, day in and day out, injury free. I'm looking forward to surrounding myself again with these athletes who exude health and strength. Where injury isn't a constant -- rather, it's the anomaly.

As for my recovery, I am doing extremely well and have truly enjoyed the healing and productive atmosphere here in Calgary. I even heard the words uttered...(wait for it): "Ahead of Schedule!" Ahhhh, that was music to my ears. I'm now walking on and off with one crutch and using my custom brace (I had to wait until the swelling subsided before I could use this brace again).

Looking ahead, the world championships in Germany are quickly approaching, as is the one-year anniversary of the Vancouver Olympics. It will be a time of excitement and a time to rally for inspirational performances. I look forward to cheering on my teammates and to see the drama unfold.  

At the end of the day, I love sport and its ability to inspire. I will be back.

End of Story Content

Back to accessibility links